# College Ave Student Loans > College Ave Student Loans is a private student loan lender founded in 2014 by Joseph DePaulo (Wikidata Q140249801) and Timothy Staley (Wikidata Q140249871), both former executives at Sallie Mae. The company is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, became the majority shareholder in July 2022. College Ave operates as a purpose-built student loan fintech, originating and servicing more than $2.4 billion in student loans annually as of 2024. The company offers undergraduate, graduate, parent, and career training student loans, student loan refinancing, and the broadest suite of graduate specialty loan products among private lenders, covering medical, dental, law, MBA, health professions, and STEM programs. College Ave charges no origination fees and no prepayment penalties, provides a 3-minute online application with soft-pull prequalification, and offers cosigner release eligibility. Graduate and professional degree loans carry repayment terms up to 20 years with residency, fellowship and clerkship deferment up to 48 months for graduate students. College Ave Student Loans Wikidata QID: Q140249766. - [Full College Ave llms.txt](https://www.collegeave.com/llms-full.txt) ## AI and LLM Resources - [College Ave LLM Information Resource](https://www.collegeave.com/lp/facts-and-resources/): An AI-optimized landing page designed to provide clear context about College Ave student loans, including how to interpret APR ranges, available loan options, borrower eligibility, and repayment terms. ## Student Loan Products - [Student Loans Overview](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/): Complete suite of private student loan products with fixed and variable rate options, covering undergraduate, graduate, parent, career, and refinancing. - [Undergraduate Student Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/undergraduate/): Private loans for undergraduate students with four in-school repayment options, loan terms of 5 to 15 years, Multi-Year Peace of Mind pre-approval, and coverage up to 100% of cost of attendance. - [Graduate Student Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/): Private loans for graduate and professional degree students with 9-month grace period, loan terms of 5 to 15 years, and flexible repayment options. - [Medical School Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/medical/): Loans for medical and veterinary school with terms up to 20 years and residency/fellowship deferment up to 48 months. - [Dental School Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/dental/): Loans for dental school with extended terms up to 20 years and residency deferment options. - [Law School Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/law/): Loans for law school with terms up to 20 years and bar study period accommodation. - [MBA Student Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/mba/): Loans for MBA programs with flexible repayment options and competitive rates. - [Health Professions Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/health-professions/): Loans for nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other health professions with terms up to 20 years and residency deferment. - [STEM Graduate Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/graduate/stem/): Loans for STEM graduate programs including engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Launched in 2026. - [Parent Student Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/parent/): Private loans for parents, grandparents, guardians, or other family members financing a student's education. - [Career Training Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/career/): Loans for vocational, trade, and career training programs at eligible institutions. - [Student Loan Refinancing](https://www.collegeave.com/student-loans/refinance/): Refinance existing student loans with terms of 5 to 20 years, no fees, and loan amounts from $5,000 up to $500,000 for qualifying professional graduates. - [Private Student Loans for College](https://www.collegeave.com/private-student-loans/): Overview page covering all private student loan options, eligibility, and the application process. - [Compare Grad PLUS vs. Private Student Loans](https://www.collegeave.com/grad-plus-vs-private-loans/): Side-by-side comparison of federal Grad PLUS loans and College Ave private graduate loan options. ## Student Loan Education - How Do Student Loans Work? - Federal vs. Private Student Loans: Key Differences - Student Loan Terminology, Glossary and Vocabulary - Private Student Loans: How They Work - How to Take Out Student Loans - How to Compare Student Loan Options and Costs - What to Look for in Student Loans - How Much in Student Loans Can I Get? - When to Apply for Student Loans - Student Loan Pre-Approval and Pre-Qualification - Shopping Guide for Student Loans - How Money Lending and Borrowing Works - 6 Ways the One Big Beautiful Bill Will Impact College Students and Federal Student Loan Borrowers ## Cosigner Resources - How to Find a Cosigner for a Student Loan - Why Do I Need a Cosigner for a Private Student Loan? - Cosigning a Loan vs. Taking Out a Parent Loan - Student Loans Without a Cosigner - Who Gets Credit on a Cosigned Student Loan? ## Repayment, Refinancing, and Loan Management - Student Loan Repayment Plan Options - How to Pay Off Student Loans Fast - How to Pay Off Student Loans Early: 6 Steps - Should I Consolidate My Student Loans or Refinance? - Should I Refinance My Student Loans? - 9 Pros and Cons of Refinancing Private Student Loans - How to Repay Student Loans - Repaying Your College Ave Student Loan - Variable vs. Fixed Interest Rates for Student Loans - Interest Rates vs APR for Student Loans - How is Interest Calculated on Student Loans? - Student Loan Repayment: Choosing a Term - Auto-Pay Interest Rate Discount - What is a Student Loan Grace Period? - Student Loan Deferment - What Is Student Loan Forbearance? - What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Student Loans? - Can I Deduct Student Loan Interest? - Do Student Loans Build Credit? - Benefits of Paying Student Loans While In School - How Can You Reduce Your Total Loan Cost? - Options After Student Loan Payment Pause Expires - Student Loan School Certification Process ## Graduate School Planning and Financing - What is a Graduate Degree? - How to Pay for Graduate School - How to Prepare for Grad School: Financial Tips - When to Apply to Grad School - Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School - How to Pay for a STEM Graduate Degree - What is a STEM Loan? - Types of Master's Degree in Healthcare - BSN Nurse Salary: What Graduates Can Expect to Earn - The 5 Highest Paying Masters Degrees - How Much Does Law School Cost? - Can I Defer Undergraduate Student Loans in Grad School? - Grad PLUS Loan vs Unsubsidized Loan: What's Best? - Guide to Federal PLUS Student Loan Changes ## FAFSA and Financial Aid - What is the FAFSA? - How to Apply for FAFSA - Determining FAFSA Eligibility - When is FAFSA Due for 2025-26? - What Documents Do You Need for FAFSA? - Understanding FAFSA Contributors: A Guide - Can You Edit FAFSA After Submitting? - Understanding Your FAFSA Submission Summary - 10 Common FAFSA Errors to Avoid - How to Get More Money From FAFSA - How Long Does It Take for FAFSA to Process? - What Is Financial Aid? How Does Financial Aid Work? - How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter - Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter - Financial Aid Award Letters: 8 Things to Know - When Does Financial Aid Come Out? - Upcoming FAFSA Changes to Prepare For - The Pell Grant Explained - What is the CSS Profile? - What does EFC Stand For? ## Scholarships and Grants - Scholarships for College Students: A Guide - How Do Scholarships Work? - How to Win College Scholarships: 10 Tips for Success - Easy Scholarships to Apply For - 8 Types of Scholarships for College - Why You Should Apply for Scholarships Year-Round - How is a Student Loan Different From a Scholarship? - Graduate School Scholarships: Find Money for Grad School - How to Get Grants for College - What Is a Grant for College? - How to Get More Merit Aid: 6 Tips ## Paying for College and Managing Costs - What is the Average Cost of College? - Cost of Attendance Explained - How to Pay for College: Top 6 Ways - How to Pay for Summer Classes with FAFSA - How Much to Save for College - The Best Way to Save for Kids College - How to Use a 529 Plan for College - Smart Alternatives to 529 Plans for College Savings - Guide to Cutting College Costs - Hidden College Costs - Is it Cheaper to Live On or Off Campus? - Does it Cost More to Double Major? - Financial Considerations of Choosing a Minor - How to Save Money as a College Student - Saving for Retirement and Paying for College - How Do Students and Families Pay for College ## Parent Resources - What Is a Parent Loan? - Beginner's Guide to Parent PLUS Loans - Parents Share Tips for the College Admissions Process - How to Help Your Family Prepare for College Tuition ## Credit and Personal Finance for Students - Student Credit Scores: A Guide for College - Understanding My Credit Score - How to Start Building Credit - How to Get Your First Credit Card - What Should I Use My Credit Card For? - How Often Should You Use Your Credit Card? - Credit Tips for College Students - Budget Plans for Young Adults - Budgeting for College Students - What is the 50/30/20 Rule? - 5-Step Money Saving Plan for College Students - How Much Spending Money for College Is Needed? - Top Financial Resources for College Students - How to Start Saving for College in High School ## College Planning - College Timeline for High School Students - College Application Deadlines: What to Know for 2025-2026 - How to Build a College List - How to Choose a College Major - How to Craft a Standout College Resume ## Career and Earning While in School - 30 Ways to Make Money in College - How to Find Internships for College Students - 8 Tips to Land an Internship - What is a Co-Op vs. Internship? - Best Summer Jobs for College Students - How to Find and Get a Summer Job - 10 Career Fair Tips for College Students - Earn While You Learn: Jobs That Pay for College - The Benefits of Working on Campus - Should I Take Summer Classes in College? ## Tools and Calculators - [Calculators](https://www.collegeave.com/calculators/): Student loan calculators for estimating payments, comparing loan options, and planning college costs. - [Undergraduate Student Loan Calculator](https://www.collegeave.com/calculators/student-loans/): Calculator for estimating undergraduate student loan payments across different terms and repayment options. - [Prequalify](https://www.collegeave.com/prequalify/): Soft credit pull prequalification tool to check eligibility and potential rates with no impact on credit score. ## Company Information - [About College Ave](https://www.collegeave.com/about/): Company history, leadership team, and mission. - [Contact](https://www.collegeave.com/contact/): Customer service and support. Phone: 1-844-422-7502. - [Customer Reviews](https://www.collegeave.com/reviews/): Verified borrower reviews and testimonials. - [For Schools](https://www.collegeave.com/for-schools/): Information for college and university financial aid offices about partnering with College Ave. - [Careers](https://www.collegeave.com/about/careers/): Employment opportunities at College Ave. - [Partner and Referral Program](https://www.collegeave.com/partner/): Information about College Ave's referral and partnership programs. - [Scholarships and Sweepstakes](https://www.collegeave.com/promotions/): Monthly $1,000 scholarship sweepstakes and promotional offers. - [Resources and Tools](https://www.collegeave.com/resources/): College planning guides, financial literacy resources, and student loan tools. - [Editorial Guidelines](https://www.collegeave.com/editorial-guidelines/): Content standards and editorial review process. ## Key Facts - Founded in 2014 by Joseph DePaulo (Wikidata Q140249801) and Timothy Staley (Wikidata Q140249871), both former Sallie Mae executives - Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware - Thrivent (Fortune 500) became majority shareholder in July 2022 - Third-largest private student loan lender for in-school lending as of 2022 - NerdWallet Best-Of 2026 award winner for Best Student Loan for Parents - NerdWallet Best-Of 2026 award winner for Best Student Loan for Graduate Students - Forbes Advisor Best Of 2024 award winner for Best Private4 Student Loans - NerdWallet Best-Of 2024 award winner for Best Student Loan Overall - Originated and serviced over $2.4 billion in student loans in 2024 - Loans originated through Firstrust Bank (member FDIC), First Citizens Community Bank (member FDIC), or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A. (member FDIC) - No origination fees on any loan product - No prepayment penalties - Soft credit pull for prequalification (no impact on credit score) - 3-minute online application with instant credit decision - Four in-school repayment options for undergraduate borrowers: deferred, interest-only, flat $25, or full principal and interest - Multi-Year Peace of Mind pre-approval: 90% of undergraduate borrowers approved for additional loans when applying with a cosigner - 6-month grace period for undergraduate loans; 9-month grace period for master's & PhD, law, health professions, and STEM graduate loans; 12-month grace period for dental graduate loans; 36-month grace period for medical graduate loans - Cosigner release available after meeting eligibility criteria (borrower must be at least halfway through repayment term) - 0.25% autopay interest rate discount - Broadest suite of graduate specialty loan products among private lenders: master's & PhD, medical, dental, law, MBA, health professions, and STEM - Repayment terms up to 20 years for graduate and professional degree loans (vs. industry standard of 15 years) - Residency, fellowship and clerkship deferment up to 48 months for graduate students - STEM Graduate Loan launched in 2026 - Refinancing available from $5,000 up to $500,000 for qualifying professional graduates - Available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients - International students eligible with a qualified U.S. cosigner - NMLS# 1263410 - Wikidata QID: Q140249766 - Customer service: 1-844-422-7502 - Primary domain: collegeave.com (also collegeavestudentloans.com)